By .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and Michael Gioia
02 Dec 2013

The Rascals

The return Broadway engagement of The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream, which was to begin performances Dec. 16 at the Marquis Theatre, has been canceled.

"Due to scheduling conflicts with director, writer, and producer Stevie Van Zandt, the New York run for Once Upon A Dream Starring The Rascals has been canceled at this time," the show's producers said in a statement. "The producers hope to reschedule when Van Zandt's schedule, which involves balancing the filming of the third season of his Netflix show 'Lilyhammer,' and touring with Bruce Springsteen among other things, stabilizes."

The concert event, written by guitarist Steven Van Zandt, with music and lyrics by Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati, played a limited Broadway engagement last spring at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Performances were scheduled through Jan. 5, 2014. Refunds are currently being offered.

Here's how the experience was billed: "A hybrid of a rock 'n' roll concert and a Broadway show, The Rascals: Once Upon a Dream marks the first time The Rascals, America's classic blue-eyed soul band, have played together since 1970. Original band members Felix Cavaliere (keyboard & vocals), Eddie Brigati (vocals), Dino Danelli (drums) and Gene Cornish (guitar) will present a complete concert performance including songs that captured the spirit of America in the 1960s — their smash hits 'Good Lovin',' 'Lonely Too Long,' 'It's a Beautiful Morning,' 'How Can I Be Sure' and 'Groovin'.' The production will also feature the history of the iconic group told through archival footage, narration, and dramatic film segments viewed on the latest LED screen technology."

The Rascals, formerly known as The Young Rascals, were at first "a hard-hitting band reminiscent of the early Animals," drawing from "the same well that fed the then-burgeoning garage rock scene," according to their biographical notes. "They would go on to lead the way for Blue Eyed Soul to Folk Rock to Protest to Civil Rights, blending white Pop melodies with black soul and R&B muscle. Though they never brandished their politics like some bands, the Rascals truly lived theirs, fighting discrimination by demanding that a black act appear on the bill at each of its concerts. The post-twist New York, New Jersey, and Long Island club scenes bred the band, an outfit whose sound grew more sophisticated as time went on, but stayed rooted in the blue-eyed soul that was its first reason for being. Their music would span the entire decade from the early Go-Go dance parties right through the psychedelic era — and beyond."